Prosecutors say DNA recovered from shell casings produced an "overwhelming statistical match" to Jailen Lucas and also links Kelvin Thomas to the June 30 fatal shooting of Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, a 21-year-old UMass Amherst student and congressional intern. Both suspects were 17 at the time and are charged as adults with first-degree murder while armed. Two rounds of DNA testing are complete, and expert testimony on DNA, ballistics and fingerprints is expected at trial. A pretrial hearing is set for May 15, and the trial is expected to begin in February.
DNA on Shell Casings Ties Two Teens to Death of Congressional Intern, Prosecutors Say
Teens suspected of murdering congressional intern linked by DNA on shell casings, prosecutors say
Prosecutors told a Washington, D.C. Superior Court judge that DNA recovered from shell casings at the scene of a June 30 shooting links two teenagers to the fatal wounding of a University of Massachusetts student who was serving as a congressional intern.
Eric Tarpinian-Jachym was shot and killed on June 30, 2025.(Fox News)
Evidence and Court Updates
At a Friday status hearing before Judge Danya Dayson, government attorneys said forensic testing produced an "overwhelming statistical match" to Jailen Lucas on shell casings recovered near the intersection of 7th and M Street NW. Prosecutors also said DNA evidence connects Kelvin Thomas to the shooting. Officials reported two rounds of DNA testing have been completed, and they expect additional expert testimony at trial on DNA analysis, ballistics and fingerprint evidence.
The Metropolitan Police Department released more pictures of Naqwan Lucas.
Shooting and Charges
The victim, Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, 21, a rising senior at UMass Amherst, was shot on June 30 while spending the summer in Washington as a congressional intern for Representative Ron Estes (R-Kan.). Authorities say three armed suspects exited a stolen vehicle and opened fire at two people in the area. Tarpinian-Jachym, who was not involved in the confrontation, was struck four times and died the following day.
Jailen Lucas and Kelvin Thomas, both 17 at the time of the incident, are charged as adults with first-degree murder while armed. They were arrested on Sept. 5. A third suspect, 18-year-old Naqwan Antonio Lucas of the District of Columbia, was arrested Oct. 31 in Montgomery Village and has also been charged in the killing.
Next Steps
A pretrial hearing is scheduled for May 15, and the trial is expected to begin in February. Tarpinian-Jachym's mother declined to comment when contacted by reporters. Prosecutors say they will present forensic and ballistic experts to support the case at trial.
Note: The prosecution's description of an "overwhelming statistical match" refers to the strength of the DNA comparison reported during the court hearing. Defense teams may question or seek to rebut forensic analysis during trial.
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